If you like this, try…
Wines like Phoenix
A disease-resistant German crossing grown in the UK for aromatic still whites. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Phoenix?
Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.
What these words mean
- The tropical fruit
- Passionfruit, mango, pineapple, guava. It comes from riper fruit and warmer sites, and it is the difference between Marlborough and Sancerre in the same grape.
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- That it is not too strong
- Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- How aromatic it is
- Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
Looking for something keeping the floral, perfumed side, the tropical, exotic fruit and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too light or thin and too perfumed.
- You said you like how much it smells of, before you even taste it and that it is too perfumed. Both are about aromatic intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- A little less light or thin.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- A little less light or thin.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Hondarrabi Zuri
Hondarrabi Zuri scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Txakoli
Txakoli scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Loureiro
Loureiro scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Vinho Verde
Vinho Verde scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.